The Ritualization of Cultural, Social, and Economic Capital in Establishing In-Group Acceptance

Using Bourdieu’s three forms of capital (economic, social, and cultural), we demonstrate how in a short period of time these forms become part of the ritual of inclusion and exclusion in golf. Because golf on its face is not a highly masculine activity (i.e., lacking physicality, machismo, and endurance), more benign methods are used to include or exclude same gender players. The transformation of power happens quickly through four stages: the greeting, the filling out, the chest pounding, and acceptance/rejection. It is through these stages that one either becomes part of the capital elite or excluded.